when I hear the voice of its waters, and see the tumult that has been raging there, with so much life and animation, ever since the world began, and which will continue in all its vivacity for ages after we are swept away and forgotten."

"Matilda, one would imagine you have visited the Falls of Niagara at least, to-day; but I have no turn for rhapsodiz ing about frowning mountains, and murmuring streams, and fleecy-hosiery clouds. Perhaps one may do so occasionally in society for effect; but to come blazing in, as you have done this morning, in a real fit of genuine ecstasy about nothing, is quite out of my line. With a wide domain of one's own to admire, where, like Robinson Crusoe, 'I am monarch of all I survey,' the country is endurable; but otherwise give me any town on earth, Berwick, or Mutton-hole, in preference."

"I always feel like Cowper, that God made the country, and man made the town; and mine is like the sensation of a bird escaping from its cage, when first we emerge into green fields and gay shrubberies again. I could have embraced the first tree on our road, for it seemed like a longabsent friend restored to me again."

“Chacun à son goût;'-but if you want mountains, Arthur's Seat is quite sublime enough to satisfy me. For varied scenery, take a circuit of the Calton Hill; for umbrageous shades, give me a parasol; and for a romantic, loverizing promenade, scramble up the steep sides of the Castle rocks. Then for moonlight you may indulge in a stretch along Prince's Street, watching the splendid shops, glittering like Aladdin's palace, with gas lamps shining picturesquely though a long perspective of gauzes, feathers, and artificial flowers; the apothecaries' shops sending forth a stream of green and rose-colored light; the pedestrians lounging about with cigars in their mouths; and the New Club, which blazes for an instant, like lightning, as you pass, showing a momentary glimpse of its members, picturesquely grouped on the sofas and chairs. How I wish the whole building, with its contents, could be transported to my gate, for Barnard Castle. will be as dull as a hen-coop during the next two months. There is no resource in the house except Blanco, and not a single victim to be captivated but Lord Alderby, whom I shall be almost tempted to accept, for something to do." "Many girls marry for no better reason," said Matilda. "True enough!-I verily believe that if trousseaux, favors,

white satin, feathers, blonde, and marriage-jaunts were abol ished, and that no paragraph in the newspaper was allowed to commemorate the event, and no happy couple permitted to set off in a more splendid cavalcade than they are daily ascustomed to, half the young ladies who fancy themselves desperately in love would remain very rationally at home. That newly-invented word excitement, is the pleasure which we are all in pursuit of; and, whether it be dancing or matrimony, therevolution of kingdoms or the death of acquaintances, all contribute their quota to that degree of excitement which is become an actual necessary of life."

"So much stimulus to the mind is like drinking brandy; it may produce temporary exhilaration, but leads to a painful reaction afterwards. How different it is, Eleanor, from that mental composure and peace which the Scriptures point out as our natural state of enjoyment, and which alone can be permanent and wholesome. This life has been truly called a changeable scene-a procession of trifles-the chief interest of which is not derived from the incidents themselves but from the use we make of them in correcting our own dis positions and habits of thinking."

"Matilda, you shall be fined for preaching without a li cense! I am always afraid to articulate three syllables now, because a sermon is so sure to explode in my face. Pray talk occasionally without attempting my reformation, or considering yourself a home missionary appointed to convert me; for really, my good friend, if Mrs. Stevens at Knaresborough ever wants an assistant and successor, I shall make a point of recommending you.'

"I have perhaps been unguarded, Eleanor; but the time was once when I might have thought aloud without the danger of being misconstrued; and you know perfectly that I never talk at any one, but often make these common-place reflections, more to school my own mind than others, for even the frequency with which they have already been made provest their importance; and I am anxious to forget nothing that may strengthen the clue with which we shall be safely guided through the labyrinth of life."

Advancing towards Inverness, the features of the country became more majestic, and Matilda's heart expanded with astonishment and delight when their carriage swept round the projecting elbow of a hill, and her eyes first dwelt upon the unrivalled splendor of Cromarty bay. Its broad expanse shone like a sapphire, amidst an amphitheatre of rugged

mountains, clothed to their summits with patches of natural wood, tinged in all the richest hues of autumn, while here and there a brilliant sunshine glittered through the branches, and painted every leaf upon the ground beneath. No painter could have ventured to mix such bright and varied tints on his pallet, as were glowing in gaudy splendor beneath a setting sun, on the sparkling waters, the glittering sails, and the waving forests of Cromarty. A light" skiff" of rain, which fell in the sunshine as they passed, looked like a shower of diamonds, and the glorious arch of a rainbow, which stretched across the sky, was reflected like a magic circle in the mirror beneath.

Tears of admiration sprung into Matilda's eyes when she looked upon this profusion of beauty; but she dared not give vent to a single thought that filled her heart at the moment when it overflowed with devout and holy joy. No answering look was elicited when she turned to Eleanor and Miss Marabout for sympathy, but giving a cold glance of indifference at the brilliant panorama, accompanied by an impatient conjecture whether Sir Richard had yet reached Dingwall to order dinner, they resumed an interesting discussion relating to the intolerable stupidity of Pauline, and her extreme dislike to her deputy, Nanny Muckleraith, many strong evidences of which were related by Eleanor with infinite zest and only slight disapprobation.

"I never see that poor girl now; for Pauline is outra. geously jealous of her being so excessively admired, and I scarcely dare mention her name. You know one must keep on good terms with an Abigail, coute qui coute, and mademoiselle never does my hair tolerably unless she is in good humor."

"Then Pauline may be considered as a viceroy over you,” observed Matilda; "and poor Nanny, when exposed to all the whim and caprice you describe, must often look back with regret on the garden at Ashgrove, and wish she had still to sow turnips instead of handkerchiefs."

"Pray send for her sometimes then, and be melancholy together," replied Eleanor, laughing. "She has almost broken her heart lately, I am told, about some foolish attachment to William Grey, the under-gardener, and it really provokes one to hear of such intolerable stupidity. I told her once that nature had made a mistake in giving her such a name and station, but that, if she pleased me I would rectify the blunder."

"Most generous, indeed," said Miss Marabout.

"She was very grateful at the time, but Nanny is never two hours of the same mind, and has become so flighty and odd of late, that I sometimes think she is scarcely in her right senses. You know her father was once in confinement for a year, and there is a glare in her brilliant eyes that sometimes almost alarms me, especially since this affair of William Grey, and all her brouilleries with Pauline. Luckily, they have not a language in common to quarrel in," added Eleanor, laughing, "as each is obliged, for indispensable reasons, to prefer her own; and it is fortunate in another respect, as Pauline is quite a Frenchwoman in her principles, if she can be imagined to have any principles at all: she flirts prodigiously, and is not supposed to be of very immaculate reputation; but I must turn a deaf ear to all gossip on that score, seeing that I could not exist, or at least dress, without her."

"Is there likely to be a change of ministry soon?” asked Matilda ; 66 you seem to find great faults in the present ad

ministration.'

No, no! as Charles the Second observed, there may be oppression and injustice against my subjects, but I see nothing against myseli," replied Eleanor, in a tone of great complacency; for it is a favorite piece of self-importance with vain people to set themselves above general rules, and to boast of doing what no other person could venture; so that when Eleanor talked of keeping a maid whose character appeared questionable, it was to show with what impunity she might brave Matilda's opinion, or that of any one else who was tied down to ordinary customs in their actions and thoughts.

MATILDA had not imagined it possible that any accession of dignity could take place in the demeanor which Eleanor assumed throughout their journey; but when her carriage at length reached the princely domain of Barnard Castle, she seemed to swell out with fresh importance, while, assuming a studied air of indifference, she pointed out all that might enhance the estimate of her extensive possessions, saying, in the careless, accidental tone usual among landed proprietors, “All the grounds on each side of the road now are mine. I am Marquis of Carrabas, whichever way you

turn."

A fat, unwieldy, consequential-looking old woman swung open an enormous iron gate, surmounted by armorial shields bearing the Barnard arms, and flanked by two ivy-covered lodges which were so handsome as to give promise of future magnificence, and the approach was entered by a dense wilderness of trees, like an Indian jungle, through which the road cut its winding way, till it emerged upon the noble and extensive park, stretching, with its verdant glades and lofty woods, to the utmost verge of the horizon. Large groups of ancient trees bowed their majestic heads on every side while Eleanor, in the exuberance of her spirits, bowed to them in return; and the graceful fallow deer might be seen pasturing in distant herds, or occasionally tossing their branching horns, and bounding across the velvet sward. A broad river, which flowed impetuously through the park, swept almost round the house, and was lost in a lake of such crystal clearness, that the variegated tints of every tree were reflected on its bosom; and the whole was closed in by a distant range of craggy mountains, crested by dark thickets of pine, which were seen in bold relief on the evening sky. Matilda stood up in the carriage, partly to indulge, but chiefly to conceal the emotion with which she was filled by